The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-02-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
Work of the Senate and the House
of Representative

as Senator from Indiana were laiu Deiofe inc
Senate. The Senate retaliation bill, with a
substitute therefor, was reported back to the
House. A bill for the organization Of the Ter
ritory OF Alaska was reported from the House
Committee on Territories. Mrs. Logan and her
children occupied seats in the Speakers pew OF
the House during the delivery OF eulogies upon
the deceased Senator. More than nifty mem
the opportunity A message from the President
votoing the bill appropriatng $4,000 for the
| distribution Of seeds in the counties OF Texas
| that suffered from drought The President
saws: Il feel obliged 10 withhold my approval
OF the PLAN as proposed by this bill, TO indulge
a benevolent and Charitable sentiment through
the appropriation Of public funds for that pur-
pose L can find no warrant for such an apIro-
| priation in the constitution and l do not be-
| lieve that the power and duty OF the General
| Government ought 20 be extended TO the relief
| of individual suffering which IS in no
manner properly related to the public
| to disregard the limited mission of this power
and duty should, think, be steadfastly re-
| sisted to the end that the lesson should be con-
| stuntly enforced that, though the people sup
port the Government the Government should not
support the people The friendliness ard char
| ity of our countrymen can always be relied up
on TO relieve their felow-citizens in misfortune.
This has been repeatedly and quite recently
| demonstrated Federal aid in such cases en-
courages the expectation of paternal care on the
part OF the Government, and weakens the sturdi-
moss OF our national character while IT pre-
vents the indulgence among our people
| OF that kindly sentiment and conduct
which strengthen the bonds OF common
| brotherhood. 1t is within my personal knowl-
edge that individual aid mas TO some extent
| already been extended to the sufferers men
toned in this bill. The failure Of the proposed
| appropriation Of $4,000 additional to meet their
| remaining wants will not necessarily result in
| continued distress if the emergency is fully
made known 70 the people Of the country. 1t is
| here suggested that the Commissioner Of Agri-
culture is annually directed TO eXpend large
| sum OF money for the preparation and cistri-
button of seeds and other things of this de-
scription, two-thirds Of which are, upon the re-
| quest of Senators, Representatives, and dele
gates in Congress, supplied to them for distri-
| button among their constituents. The appro-
| priation of the current year for this pur-
| pose is 100000, and it will probably be
| no less in the appropriation for the ensuing
| year. L understand that a large quantity of
grain is furnished for such distribution and il is
| supposed that this free apportionment among
| their neighbors is privilege which may be
| waived by our Senator'S and Representatives. IL
sufficient of them should request the Commits
sioner OF Agriculture 70 send their shares of the
grain thus allowed them to the suffering farm
ers Of Texas they might be enabled TO SOW their
crops. The constituents for whom. in theory,
this grain is intended, could well bear the tenn
| porary deprivation and the donors would expe-
rience the satisfaction attending deeds of char
| ity.'
A BILL providing for an additional Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court Of the Territory
of New Mexico, passed the Senate Feb. IT, Mr..
Hale's bill appropriatng 100000 for the con-
struction Of gun-boats, torpedo-boats, and heav-
lily armored vessels for coast defense, and an
act for the delivery to their rghtful owners OF
certain boxes deposited in the Treasury Depart
ment by the Secretary of War were also passed.
Mr.. Vest offered substitute for the Eads
Tehuantepec Ship Railway bill, which provides
for the incorporation by James b. Eads and
some eighty other persons named of the Allan
tic and Pacific ship-Bailway Company. with
capital stock not TO exceed sl00,00O,O0l. The
amendment thereto offered by Senator Van al,
Wyck providing that no certificate of stock
shall be issued until it shall have been fully
paid for in money at par value, and pro-
hibiting the issuance of bonds in excess
of the paid-in capital the disposal of
the same at less than their par value Mr..
Wilson presented petition from citizens Of
Iowa in favor OF a National Board of Arbitra-
ton. The President sent the following nomi-
nations To the Senate: Samuel n. Aldrich, Of
Massachusetts, to be assistant Treasurer of
the United States at Boston; John NJ.
Mercer, OF Iowa, to be Surveyor of Gus
Gloughliu, OF Iowa, to be Surveyor of
Customs, Dubuque, Iowa; Arthur X. Delaney,
of Wisconsin, to be Collector of Customs for the
District OF Alaska; postmaster at Cleveland,
William w. Armstrong; Charles f. Broyles, Of
Colorado, to be Register of the Land Office at
Del Norte, Col. The House of Representatives
passed the diplomatic and consular appropria-
ton bill. BY a vote of 50 to 100 the Texas seed
bill failed TO pass the Presidents veto.
The vote against consideration of the pension
veto was lao to 113. The conference report ON
the anti Mormon bill was adopted by vote Of
202 to 40.
gone through the House, passed the Senate
February ls, by s77 yeas to IL nays. Tho first
six sections of the bill apply to prosecutions for
bigamy adultery, etc, and make the wife or
husband a competent witness, but do not
pei either TO testify Sections and give pow
of Court Commissioners and OF the Marshal
and Deputy Marshals. Sections and 10 apply
to the marriage ceremony. They require n GER
tihcate, properly authenticated, to be recorded
| Probate Court. Section
IL annuls all Territorial laws recognizing
the capacity Of illegitmate children to
inherit or DO entitled TO any dis
tributive share in the estate of the
father. Section II annuls territorial laws con-
ferring jurisdiction upon Probate courts with
certain exceptionsD. Sections Is and Ia make it
the duty of the Attorney General of the United
States 70 institute proceedings TO escheat to
the United states the property OF corporations
obtained or held in violation of section of the
act of July, 1867, the proceeds of such escheat
TO be applied to tho and benefit Of common
schools in the territory. Sections Is and Is
annul the charter OF the Perpetual Emigration
Fund Company and dissolve that cor
poration, and forfeit all property and
assets Of the company in excess of
debts and lawful claims to the benefit
OF common schools in the territory. Section
IL dissolves the corporation of the church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. and makes it
! the duty OF the Attorney General of the United
, States to institute legal proceedings to wind up
the affairs of the corporation. Section Is pro-
yides for the endowment of widows, who are to
have one-third of the income of the estate as
the appointment OF Probate Judge in each
county Section - anuuls the acts of the Leg
islatiye Assembly which permit female suf-
frage. The next four sections make provisions
for elections, and re Iuire of voters oath or
affirmation TO support the Constitution and
obey the laws, especially the anti-polygamy
act Of March % 1882 and this act. Section 2j
, abolishes the Office of Territorial Superintend-
ent of District Schools, and makes il the duty
of the Supreme Court of the Territory 20 ap-
, -oint Commissioner of Schools. Section %
gives to oil religious societies. sects. and con-
gregations the right TO hold, through trustees
appointed by Probate Court property for
houses Of worship and parsonages The 27th
and last section annuls all Territorial laws
for the organization of the militia, or for
the creation of the Nauvoo Legion and
gives the Legislative Assembly OF Utah
power 10 pass laws for organizing the mill
tia, subject 10 the approval of Congress-
General officers of the militia are TO be APP
pointed by the Governor of the territory with
the advice and consent of the council A bill
| appropriating s4.G63,1 0l for the paymtnt of
Mexican ana other pensions was favorably
ported TO the House. The House non-concurred
in the Senate amendments TO the invalid PEN
sion bill. aud asked for a conference The
House refused-yeas. 1i2 nays, 9S-to pass the
pension bill OF Simmons w. Hart over the Presi-
dents veto. An evening session Of the House
was held to consider pension bills. and a large
| number passed